Atwood’s Jaundice Bitters Bottle

This is a vintage multi-sided (typically 12-sided) medicine bottle featuring heavy embossing on the vertical panels. The bottle is made of aqua-colored glass, a common hue for 19th-century utilitarian glassware. The central embossing prominently reads 'JAUNDICE BITTERS / MOSES ATWOOD / GEORGETOWN / MASS', identifying it as a patent medicine bottle from the mid-to-late 1800s. Physically, the bottle has a cylindrical flanged or 'doubled' lip finish and a short neck transitioning into a broad, paneled body. The glass shows characteristic manufacturing traits of the era, including small air bubbles (seeds) and slight surface irregularities. Regarding condition, the bottle appears to have significant internal 'sickness' or cloudiness, known as devitrification or mineralization, caused by long-term burial or fluid remnants reacting with the glass. This gray, hazy patina obscures the natural transparency of the aqua glass but is common in excavated specimens. There are no large cracks or chips immediately visible in the image, though the edges of the embossed letters show minor wear consistent with age. This specific style of bottle, attributed to Moses Atwood, dates approximately between 1855 and 1880, representing a classic era of American patent medicines.

Based on my visual examination of this 12-sided aqua Moses Atwood Jaundice Bitters bottle, I have determined it to be an authentic piece of mid-to-late 19th-century patent medicine history, likely dating between 1860 and 1880. The bottle displays period-correct manufacturing markers, including a flanged lip and characteristic 'seedy' glass. However, the condition is the primary factor limiting its market value. The heavy internal 'sickness' or calcification suggests this was a ‘dug’ specimen. While this patina confirms age and authenticity, collectors generally prefer the original clarity of the aqua glass. Market demand for Atwood Bitters is stable but limited by the high volume of survivors. Moses Atwood was a prolific producer, and this specific variant is one of the most common bitters bottles found in the United States. Recent auction results for specimens in high-grade condition (clear glass, no wear) range from $50 to $75, whereas examples with significant cloudiness like this one typically realize between $15 and $35. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on the provided imagery. A physical inspection would be required to rule out 'potstones' (non-fused impurities) that could lead to future cracking, or 'flash' cracks not visible in photos. Full authentication would involve checking the base for a pontil scar versus a smooth base and verifying the absence of modern tumble-polishing. To increase the value, one might consider professional 'cleaning' via a glass lathe, though the cost of service often exceeds the value of this particular common mold.